New Grizzly Nick Calathes says he's not a normal rookie

One of the first things Nick Calathes wants you to know is that he strongly believes he can play in the NBA.

And that's not all that he subscribes to.

"I'm not a rookie," Calathes said Wednesday, a day after his first NBA contract was finalized with the Grizzlies.

Calathes, a 24-year-old point guard, isn't cocky. He exudes a healthy confidence about the ability to make four years of playing professional basketball in Europe work at the game's highest level.

The Griz have faith in Calathes too, having given the former 2009 second-round NBA draft pick a two-year deal with an idea that he can help bolster the backup point guard position.

If a true point guard is what the Griz want behind starter Mike Conley then Calathes believes he has what it takes.

"I'm a pass-first point guard," Calathes said. "I can control a team. I make my teammates better. I can shoot the ball. I can get more consistent at it but I can shoot it. I believe I can play defense at a high level. I'm a pure point guard. I do believe playing four years in Europe helped me a lot. I'm not a rookie. I've been playing professional basketball for four years at a high level. I have a little bit more than a rookie, the normal guy coming out of college."

With second-year guard Tony Wroten still developing and coming off disappointing performances during summer league, Calathes provides a more seasoned option with the potential to help quickly.

Calathes' game developed in three seasons with Greek League power Panathinaikos and one with Lokomotiv Kuban of Russia. He averaged 12.9 points, 6.7 assists and 5.9 rebounds and was MVP in leading Lokomotiv to its first EuroCup title in April.

"Hopefully, he'll be a primary and secondary playmaker," Griz coach Dave Joerger said. "Sometimes he can bring it up and play point guard and sometimes he can play away from the ball and make plays a la Greivis Vasquez. He has a high IQ and that should help us too."

Calathes took less money (roughly $950,000) from the Griz than the $2 million-plus he would have earned in Russia this season because the timing was right.

"I probably had my best year in Europe last year," Calathes said. "Obviously, I'm going to a winning team. I believe I can help be a piece to the puzzle. I'm excited to have an opportunity. I didn't want to look back and not give the NBA a shot."

Calathes' lack of athleticism and physical strength will be a challenge against quicker, stronger guards. But he developed as an astute pick-and-roll player on offense, which is where Calathes should immediately excel in new head coach Dave Joerger's system.

Calathes joins the Griz as an excellent passer, if anything.

"Playing in Europe helped me read the game a lot better and read situations," Calathes said. "In the NBA, there's more space, which makes it even better. In Europe it's more tight inside. There's no three-second rule. I'll have more space to operate in the NBA.

"I know I'm going to have to learn the NBA style. It'll take me a couple of games to pick it up. I can learn a lot from Mike. And there's a lot of older guys on our team that can help me out."

Calathes said Griz brass gave him no guarantees although it's reasonable to believe that the backup point guard role is his to lose.

"I'm going to have to battle for a spot," Calathes said. "I believe they need another pure point guard. It's going to be a battle for minutes. They said I have a great opportunity. I have enough confidence with my game that I can preserve minutes."